Chapter 43: Fairy Sword Casting
After washing up, Gu Wei turned on the computer in the room and looked through the latest news and entertainment reports.

Domestically, the movie "Hero" has been taken off the screen. The film has grossed 2.5 million yuan in the mainland and has been confirmed to be the box office champion of Chinese-language films in 2002.

The movie "Hero" has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and is scheduled to be screened at the Academy's Los Angeles theater in mid-January this year for two weeks.

When Gu Wei saw the news, he nodded in approval and announced that the film would be screened two weeks in advance, which was also one of the conditions for Oscar submission.

The Hong Kong movie "Infernal Affairs" was successfully released with a box office of 5500 million, which was the last glory of Hong Kong films.

Recently, the famous American magazine Entertainment Weekly conducted a year-end review of movies, television, DVDs, music, books and other aspects, and selected the best and worst releases of the year.

“Best Film: Far From Heaven.”

"Worst film: 'Moon Trip'."

.........

The most true saying in the entertainment industry is "Gossip can melt metal, and constant criticism can destroy a person."

As the filming of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" was about to be completed, news also spread that Liu Yifei was about to leave for Hollywood.

Many fans of celebrity artists have commented online, mocking Liu Yifei's acting skills and appearance. Many netizens also made personal attacks, saying that the mother and daughter were being kept by someone.

Liu Yifei currently has only one TV series airing and she doesn’t have many fans. She also has no idea how to deal with the large number of negative comments online.

Many female celebrities and artists are also sarcastic when they are interviewed in front of the camera. In a word, it’s all because of their lack of resources.

Less than a year has passed since Liu Yifei entered the entertainment industry, and she has already starred in two big-budget TV series, "The Story of a Noble Family" and "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils". Now she has got a role in a Hollywood movie. Other actresses in the circle are not only envious, but also jealous.

Finally, Wang Chen from Xingchen Film and Television stood up and said in an interview that the role of Liu Yifei was personally selected by director Gu Wei.

After hearing Wang Chen's interview, other actors and artists no longer made sarcastic remarks about Liu Yifei when facing interviews again, but instead expressed their hope to work with director Gu Wei in the future.

In January, the TV series "The Legend of Sword and Fairy", a collaboration between Tangren Film and Television and Xingchen Film and Television, started casting, attracting the attention of many artists in the circle.

Many Hong Kong and Taiwan celebrity artists and students from various universities have submitted their resumes, hoping to get the opportunity to audition.

Shanghai, the headquarters of Tangren Film and Television Company.

There were many vehicles parked near the company's entrance, and there were many people waiting in line inside the company. Many celebrity artists brought their agents with them, but most of the students came to the audition together.

There were also reporters waiting at the entrance of Tangren Company, taking pictures of people coming in and out and collecting materials for the auditions.

At a glance in the company, most of the people are handsome men and beautiful women, and some of them don’t look very old, which just proves the saying that it is better to become famous early.

Except for a few pre-selected roles, most other roles require on-site auditions.

"Next person."

At the entrance of Tangren Company's conference room, a sweet-looking assistant shouted.

"Hello, teachers and directors."

In the conference room, director Li Guoli, Cai Yinong from Tangren and Wang Chen from Xingchen Film and Television sat together and looked at the artists who were auditioning in front of them.

"Introduce yourself."

Cai Yinong started talking.

"My name is Hu Ge, I'm from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and I'm a sophomore..."

Several people listened to the introduction and nodded from time to time. Judging from Shan Cong's appearance, the face shape of this interviewing student was not very suitable for ancient costumes.

However, they decided to take a look at his ancient costume look first.

"Lili, take him to try out the ancient costume look."

Hearing this, Hu Ge did not hesitate and followed his assistant to the locker room next door.

After a while, Hu Ge, who had changed his clothes, returned to the meeting room.

Looking at the ancient costume in front of him, Cai Yinong couldn't help but feel his eyes brightened. Director Li Guoli also nodded. He didn't expect that Hu Ge in ancient costume gave people a completely different feeling than before.

The next step was the live performance. Director Li Guoli selected some script content on the spot and asked Hu Ge to perform it impromptu to see how his acting was.

Ten minutes later, Hu Ge finished the audition and looked at the people in front of him with trepidation.

"Hugo, right? You can go back first. Someone will inform you of the audition results."

"Okay, teachers."

Hugo bowed and walked out of the meeting room.

"How's it going, Lao Hu?"

Hu Ge's best friend Yuan Hong saw him coming out and quickly asked.

"The audition is over. Let me go back and wait for notification."

"Next one, Yuan Hong."

The young lady stood at the door and continued to shout.

"Lao Hu, I'm going in first. You wait for me outside."

After saying that, before Hu Ge could react, he trotted into the meeting room.

"Next one, Eddie Peng."

Auditions are ongoing...

...

A week later, the auditions for most roles in the Legend of Sword and Fairy crew had been completed.

In the conference room, Cai Yinong, Wang Chen, and director Li Guoli met to discuss the selection of roles.

"Mr. Cai, I think Hu Ge's acting skills and appearance are very suitable for the role of the male lead."

Li Guoli spoke first.

When Cai Yinong heard this, he looked at Wang Chen.

Although Tangren is responsible for filming the Legend of Sword and Fairy project, the casting also requires the consent of Xingchen Film and Television.

"Mr. Cai, I agree with Director Li. I also think Hu Ge is a good fit."

"Well, since you two think he's suitable, then let's choose him as the male lead."

After saying this, Cai Yinong took out his cell phone and sent a text message to his assistant, asking him to prepare to sign the contract, not only the contract for this play, but also the contract to join Tangren Film and Television Company.

According to the time calculation, Hu Ge joined Tangren Film and Television one year earlier than the original time and space.

As the discussion progressed, roles were decided one by one. When it came to choosing the heroine, the group was a bit troubled and could not decide for a long time.

Director Li Guoli's favorite candidate is actress He Meitian, who plays the role of "Yilin", and he thinks she is very suitable for this role.

The crew communicated with the other party several times, but the other party's schedule was too tight and he politely declined the invitation.

"We can let Liu Yifei try for the female lead."

Wang Chen looked at the few people who were still unable to decide on the female lead and said something directly.

"Is it in time for the schedule?"

"As far as I know, Tianlong is currently filming, and she has also taken on a role in Director Gu's new movie."

Director Li Guoli said this with some hesitation.

"It should be no problem. Tianlong is about to wrap up, and Director Gu's role in the movie isn't that big."

Wang Chen had never met Liu Yifei in person, he only knew that she had taken on a role in her boss's new movie and was an actress recognized by her boss.

According to his understanding, the role in this movie is just a supporting role and does not have many scenes, so he mentioned it.

Director Li Guoli nodded and said that he would have to give it a try as the crew was about to start filming and the roles had to be decided in advance.

Upon seeing this, Cai Yinong immediately arranged for someone to contact the other party's agent and invite him to come for an audition.

Dali, Tianlong crew.

When Liu Xiaoli received the audition invitation from Tangren, she was a little hesitant. After thinking about it for a while, she decided to go for the audition first to see how it goes.

She also knew something about this TV series, which was jointly produced by Tangren Film and Television and Xingchen Film and Television. If the audition was successful, Liu Yifei would be able to play the female lead, which would be of great benefit to her daughter's future development.

Liu Xiaoli told her daughter about the situation, and Liu Yifei did not refuse, but was a little worried about the schedule.

"Mom, my senior asked me to join the crew at the end of the month, and I'm afraid I won't be able to make it in time and delay the filming."

"Don't worry, Xixi, I will communicate with Director Zhang first and ask you to make time for the audition. It won't delay the filming."

Liu Xiaoli looked at her precious daughter in front of her and said gently.

When Liu Yifei heard what her mother said, she nodded obediently.

At this stage, Liu Yifei is still very obedient to her mother's arrangements. For her, filming is a very interesting thing and she can also find happiness in it.

With the auditions for "Legend of Sword and Fairy" over, most of the main characters in the show were confirmed, and major media outlets also reported on it online.

"Hu Ge, a sophomore student at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, won the leading role in The Legend of Sword and Fairy."

"Sophomore student Yuan Hong from Shanghai Theatre Academy has been confirmed to play the role of Fairy Sword."

"Most of the actors cast in The Legend of Sword and Fairy are newcomers from the mainland, while artists from Hong Kong and Taiwan have been eliminated. Is the casting unfair?"

"The crew is scheduled to start filming in mid-February."

"Liu Yifei appeared at Tangren Film and Television Company, suspected to be auditioning for the female lead."

After seeing Liu Yifei auditioning for the female lead, a large number of comments emerged online, most of which were mocking and sarcastic.

This situation is too common in the entertainment industry. Everyone is scrambling to grab roles. Seeing Liu Yifei's constant resources and one drama after another, it is inevitable that people feel unbalanced.

Gu Wei was also involved in the final casting list of "Legend of Sword and Fairy". A large number of Hong Kong and Taiwan artists who starred in the original time and space were replaced by mainland actors, of course, with the exception of some veteran actors.

.........

In mid-January, Gu Wei left the crew and took time out to fly to Los Angeles with Reid.

Last year, Warner Bros. submitted the film "The Accidental Murderer" for the Golden Globe Awards.

At the beginning of this month, Gu Wei received an invitation from the film festival, inviting him to attend the awards ceremony held in Los Angeles on the 19th of this month.

"A True Story" was nominated for the Best Screenplay Award at the film festival, along with several other films including "Far from Heaven," "About Schmidt," and "Chicago."

At around 1 pm on January 19, after a 3-hour flight, Gu Wei and his team arrived directly in Los Angeles.

"Ryder, we're going to go directly to the awards ceremony. The rest of the crew will go directly there."

Gu Wei sat in the car and spoke to Reid in the front seat.

"Okay, boss."

Nearly an hour later, Gu Wei arrived at the award ceremony venue, the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, which was also the venue for the 60th Golden Globe Awards.

After arriving at the hotel, Gu Wei adjusted his suit and saw through the car window a large number of reporters taking pictures. Other crew members were also entering the hotel entrance one after another.

After opening the car door, Gu Wei and Reid got out directly.

As soon as he got off the car, the reporters who were waiting there pointed their cameras at Gu Wei and kept taking pictures.

Gu Wei faced the camera, smiled, waved, and walked into the hotel.

"Hi, Gu, did you just arrive?"

As soon as he entered the restaurant, Gu Wei heard someone calling him. He turned around and saw Leonardo, who was nominated for the Best Actor for the movie "Cat and Mouse Game".

"Leon, congratulations on your nomination for Best Actor, and good luck tonight."

Gu Wei said with a smile.

"Haha, thank you for your congratulations!"

"Gu, let's have a drink."

Leonardo raised the glass in his hand.

"of course."

Gu Wei took the champagne from the waiter next to him, and the two clinked glasses.

"Boss, the crew has arrived and is sitting over there."

Reid walked up to Gu Wei and reminded him.

“Leon, I might have to go over first, let’s talk later.”

"Okay, Gu, let's talk later. I have to go to the crew too."

The two shook hands and left separately.

Inside the hotel, other crew members and stars came in one after another, and the award ceremony was about to begin.

(End of this chapter)